Receiver Floyd likes idea of playing for Bears

Some draft experts believe Michael Floyd could be selected by the Chicago Bears with the 19th overall selection. Such a scenario would suit the former Notre Dame receiver just fine.

"That’s a great organization," Floyd said during a phone interview Wednesday. "They’re always on TV. And it’s great seeing them. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be mad going anywhere. ... Chicago would be great, but you never know how things go."

The 6-foot-3 1/2, 220-pound Floyd, who was in Indianapolis to participate in the Gatorade Sports Science Institute’s athletic performance testing, turned down an invitation to participate in last week’s Senior Bowl due to a lingering rib injury suffered in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Florida State.

"After my (bowl game) touchdown, I got hit in my ribs pretty hard," Floyd explained. "I came to the decision that me not being 100 percent, going down to the Senior Bowl wasn’t beneficial for me. I was kind of mad and disappointed in myself because if I was 100 percent, I would for sure want to be down there."

Floyd was asked if he suffered any broken ribs.

"No," he said. "I talked to a few doctors and they said the middle part, where the cartilage and rib connect, that could cause a lot of pain. So they basically just said time would heal it. That's what I'm doing now. And it's feeling pretty good."

Floyd believes he's in the same category as Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, considered the top receiver in this draft. But Floyd will need to assure NFL teams that his off-the-field issues are in the past.

Floyd had to be reinstated at Notre Dame after an arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

"Like any other college student/athlete, it was a mistake," Floyd said. "When you make a mistake, a crucial mistake like that, the most important thing people want to see is did you learn from the mistake or are you still going down that direction. I think I can tell myself now that I’m going in a different direction. I know how fast this game can be taken away from me."

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly talked about Floyd's transition to the next level.

"Michael's highlight tape will speak for itself and he'll perform well in workouts," Kelly said Wednesday. "Michael will need to show NFL teams that he has learned from the bad decisions in his past. From my experience with Mike over the last year, I have complete confidence he will be able to show them how much he has matured and how focused he is on being a great person and player."